My Problem!!!!

[blesedone1]

Hello, All

I've discovered that I have some problems. I need to fix them like ASAP. I'm pretty sure that novice keyboard players goes through the same thing.

1.) After playing for so long....I guess 7 years now. "You would think I know how to pickup a key real quick" I'm still having that problem.

2.) I just noticed that all keybord does not sound alike at all. (I have a keyboard at home that I pratice on - but when I get to church the key and everything else sounds so totally differen" maybe I should look into getting some type of sound room.

3.) My hearing is kinda wack!!!! Every time I look up I get these insane ear infections.


How does an unskilled, don't know everything, dealing with other musicians, cope with learning how to play more music the correct way. I've been taught to play so many different ways to the point to I'm just confused...so confused....

Really, I just want to learn on my own. I have paid so much money in learning how or or trying to know how do I play and in my playing found out I was being taught half right and half wrong.

I also, have a problem with playing for soloists and I still freeze up and forget how to play my songs because I be under so much pressure.

It's like I just go blank. By the time I get home I don't even feel like practicing I just be tired. How do I deal with this block I'm going through. Anyone have any suggestions.

[jonesl78]

You should actually know what "key" a song is in before you touch the keyboard. People with perfect pitch can instantly recognize the key, but the rest of us should at least strive to recognize the tone.

Also, recognizing progressions will help you to find the key of a song.   

[momuzik]

... I still freeze up and forget how to play my songs because I be under so much pressure...It's like I just go blank...

The best remedy for this is practice. Practice until you can play it without having to think what comes next. Practice until you can play it without having to look at your fingers.

[under13]

You should actually know what "key" a song is in before you touch the keyboard. People with perfect pitch can instantly recognize the key, but the rest of us should at least strive to recognize the tone.
   

I wouldnt exactly say that, but i do think that a skilled musician should be able to find the key almost instantly once AT the board. I think that being really familuar with the location of the tones on on the board is a whole lot more important than knowing the key away from the board. My point is that perfect pitch is not that important to playing keys.

I totaly agree about recognizing progresions. If I were ever in doubt of the key I'm in, I would just wait for the cadence or turnaround and take not of where the 1 is.

The best remedy for this is practice. Practice until you can play it without having to think what comes next. Practice until you can play it without having to look at your fingers.

Totaly agree. You just gotta practice until this stuff is second nature, until you can play in in your sleep!

[T-Block]

Don't worry blesedone1, this is a common issue among all musicians, beginner to advanced.  Unless you are born with some type of gift for music, the ear is one of the hardest things to teach how to develop it. 

One thing that helped my ear get better (besides having the gift) was to play the progressions with my eyes closed, well w/out looking at the keys as I was playing.  By taking away your eyes, this forces the other 2 senses (touch and hearing) to pick up the slack.

Another way is to record yourself playing the progressions, then play them back when u are away from the keyboad and see if u can identify them by ear alone.

As far as getting the key right, that's a lot of trial and error.  Those of us who don't have perfect pitch use relative pitch.  Play a note on the keyboard, judge whether the note u just played is higher or lower than your intended note, then adjust.  Over time u get faster at it.

That's enough about the ear, let's deal with your stage fright issue.  The way to overcome stage fright or freezing up is to do more of it.  If u freeze in front of people, play in front of more and more people on a regular basis.  This will force u to adapt to your situation and hopefully make u more comfortable the more u do it.

I wouldnt exactly say that, but i do think that a skilled musician should be able to find the key almost instantly once AT the board.

I agree with that.

[under13]

That's enough about the ear, let's deal with your stage fright issue.  The way to overcome stage fright or freezing up is to do more of it.  If u freeze in front of people, play in front of more and more people on a regular basis.  This will force u to adapt to your situation and hopefully make u more comfortable the more u do it.

I agree, but i must add that you have to pray for God to take away the nevousness. Once I did did that, I rarely ever get nervous when playing in front of people. The only time I get nervous is when I have to play in front of someone who I look up to and admire as a musician. When you think about it, you really have no need to be nervous.If you mess up, So what? You will get better. Try playing to satisfy God, and not the people, and your nervousness will diminish. Also remember that those great musicians were once where you are now, they havent always been at the top.

[T-Block]

I agree, but i must add that you have to pray for God to take away the nevousness. Once I did did that, I rarely ever get nervous when playing in front of people. The only time I get nervous is when I have to play in front of someone who I look up to and admire as a musician. When you think about it, you really have no need to be nervous.If you mess up, So what? You will get better. Try playing to satisfy God, and not the people, and your nervousness will diminish. Also remember that those great musicians were once where you are now, they havent always been at the top.

Indeed U14, LOL. However, praying to God should be a given.  I still get nervous every now and then, but I play through the nervousness cuz like u said this is for God and not me.

[B3Wannabe]

Nervousness is natural, but I must say that the majority of musicians that I know add to a person's anxieties by unduly criticizing each other.

We like to criticize someone because they can't play in all the keys, they transpose, they can't play a song like the CD, they hit the wrong notes, and the type of keyboard that they're playing--masking it, as if we're trying to help them. It's all a mess, if you ask me....

That's why--at least for me--when I feel the most desire to play, I sit down. Even when it's burning! I do the same when it feels like I just have to talk, or respond to something. When there is another musician around, I try to let them play more, so I can listen to their playing style--I can't learn that much, if I'm constantly listening to myself.

[Fenix]

That's why--at least for me--when I feel the most desire to play, I sit down. Even when it's burning! I do the same when it feels like I just have to talk, or respond to something. When there is another musician around, I try to let them play more, so I can listen to their playing style--I can't learn that much, if I'm constantly listening to myself.

Cosign! When we have other musicians visiting my church, i just let them play so i can learn. It is amazing what another musician can provoke you to do.

Oh and the nervousness thing will go away with time. The thing is you HAVE to keep doing it over and over again. I still get very nervous before playing, but it has gotten so much better. What helps me overcome the nervousness is getting to church ahead of folks and just playing until i am all warmed up and comfortable.

[SoundofJoy]

I would say that you should utilize Youtube singers. I have found that you can practice with them and work on your chord progressions to almost any song in just about every key. Don't search for the ones singing behind music, go for the accapella types. This is your real test on key recognition and pitch correcttness. They even change keys on you during the song which is what happens in real life  

Ok heres your first quiz....wow this is a great example!
1. What key does she start in?
2. How many times does she change keys?
3. What key does she end in?
4. If you had to play behind her what progressions would you use.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkBlEk4KSso

Pray you don't have to play behind this type of singer - laughter is good for the soul

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alJWEgIhF9A

[SoundofJoy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtMYiKgz-LU

Try this one also....

1. How long does it take you to find the key?
2. Do you know thw progressions for this song?

[SoundofJoy]

OK, last one I'm posting. These are real good examples in various keys and styles you will be faced with playing. This one is a good key also...do you know it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GHMalBU94I

[under13]

I would say that you should utilize Youtube singers. I have found that you can practice with them and work on your chord progressions to almost any song in just about every key. Don't search for the ones singing behind music, go for the accapella types. This is your real test on key recognition and pitch correcttness. They even change keys on you during the song which is what happens in real life  

Ok heres your first quiz....wow this is a great example!
1. What key does she start in?
2. How many times does she change keys?
3. What key does she end in?
4. If you had to play behind her what progressions would you use.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkBlEk4KSso

I would have just given up on her.

[SoundofJoy]

Here's an example with a excellent singer. I follow and lead in the my playing to accompany her. I have constant eye contact with her and allow her to direct me with her voice and hand motions.

1. What key is she in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLxrlCUd3Wo

[cordney]

ALot of these soloist would have upset me...I'm glad I play the bass

[jonesl78]

I just wanted to add to this post about what I do when I follow a soloist once I have figured out what key they are in. My rule of thumb is that wherever the melody is, it is a major or minor third away from the root. For example:

Key of Eb

Melody note = Ab then root is F
Melody note = Bb then root is G
Melody note = Eb then root is C

Most of the time I have found this system to work. Of course you have to follow your ear to see if it sounds right because their are other alternatives to the examples above. 

[berbie]

The easiest one to pick up was the man singing Amazimg Grace, key of F. Second, the lady singing last(Praise is What I Do) key of C,(maybe A min) Great is Thy Faithfulness, key of Gb, All to Jesus I Surrender, B. His Eye is on the Sparrow, I don't know.  B, Ab, Eb?

berbie

[organman88]

your ear is very very important in your playing period even when reading sheet music you should have a hearing eye and a seeing ear if that makes sense but anyway like T Block said all musicians have gone thru this in some way but i think the first step is the to build your confidence. I developed my ear and gained perfect pitch and relative pitch from using this free program called earmaster it @ www.earmaster.com but remember it takes commitment it comes faster depending on how you work

[blesedone1]

Here's an example with a excellent singer. I follow and lead in the my playing to accompany her. I have constant eye contact with her and allow her to direct me with her voice and hand motions.

1. What key is she in.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLxrlCUd3Wo

Hello!!! Sam
I've been learning a lot from you. Thank you for all your posting on youtube and your website.

[blesedone1]

your ear is very very important in your playing period even when reading sheet music you should have a hearing eye and a seeing ear if that makes sense but anyway like T Block said all musicians have gone thru this in some way but i think the first step is the to build your confidence. I developed my ear and gained perfect pitch and relative pitch from using this free program called earmaster it @ www.earmaster.com but remember it takes commitment it comes faster depending on how you work

Wow...thank you so much